Automated system for identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants

Abstract

An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants is provided. The apparatus includes a spectrometer for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant, a computer for processing the spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant, and a display for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An apparatus for identifying a type of lubricant from among a plurality of different types of lubricants, comprising: means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption data for a lubricant;   automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data and for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property; and   means for outputting the lubricant type.   
     
     
       2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for obtaining comprises a spectrometer. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the spectrometer is an infrared spectrometer. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automated means comprises a computer for receiving the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data from a spectrometer. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the means for processing analyzes the absorption spectrum data based on computer algorithms using fingerprint matching techniques to analyze correlation between the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data and other predetermined spectrum data. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data comprises data in the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the automated means further comprises means for further analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for further analyzing processes the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data within a predefined range of spectral wavenumbers associated with the use characteristic. 
     
     
       9. An apparatus for identifying a type of lubricant, comprising: means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant;   automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data and for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property;   means for outputting the lubricant type; and   wherein the lubricant type can include mineral lubricants and synthetic lubricants.   
     
     
       10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output means comprises a display or printer. 
     
     
       11. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising: means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant;   automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant; and   means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant.   
     
     
       12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the automated means comprises memory means for storing indicia of a plurality of different types of lubricants, and the automated means compares the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to the indicia in order to determine the lubricant type. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the automated means automatically evaluates the use characteristic of the lubricant upon identifying the lubricant type. 
     
     
       14. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the automated means functions to identify and analyze based on an analysis of predetermined wavenumber ranges included in the absorption spectrum data. 
     
     
       15. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the use characteristic comprises at least one of Freon and sulfate content in the lubricant. 
     
     
       16. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data comprises data in the infrared spectrum. 
     
     
       17. The apparatus of claim 11, whereby in order for the automated means to analyze the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic, the automated means applies a different analysis criteria to different lubricant types. 
     
     
       18. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising: means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant;   automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant;   means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant; and   wherein said automated means causes an error message to be communicated by way of the output means in the event the automated means is unable to identify the lubricant type.   
     
     
       19. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising: means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant;   automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant;   means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant; and   wherein the lubricant type can include mineral lubricants and synthetic lubricants.   
     
     
       20. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising: means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant;   automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant;   means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant; and   wherein the lubricant type can include mineral lubricants, synthetic organic ester lubricants and phosphate ester lubricants.   
     
     
       21. An apparatus for automatically identifying and analyzing different types of used lubricants, comprising: means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant;   automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant, for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property, and for analyzing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data as a function of the lubricant type to indicate and evaluate a use characteristic of the lubricant indicative of the condition of the lubricant;   means for outputting information relating to the use characteristic of the lubricant; and   wherein the at least one characteristic chemical property is selected from a group of spectral data components including a CH 2  -wagging component, a CH 2  -scissoring component, a carbonyl component and a phosphate component.   
     
     
       22. An apparatus for identifying a type of lubricant, comprising: means for obtaining electromagnetic absorption spectrum data for a lubricant;   automated means for processing the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to determine at least one characteristic chemical property of the lubricant in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data and for identifying a lubricant type based on the at least one characteristic chemical property;   means for outputting the lubricant type; and   wherein the means for processing analyzes the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data to locate peaks in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data, the peaks and their respective spectral wavenumbers representing the at least one characteristic chemical property.   
     
     
       23. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the means for processing compares heights of the peaks in the electromagnetic absorption spectrum data with predefined amplitude values in order to identify the lubricant type. 
     
     
       24. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the means for processing comprises a computer and memory, the predefined amplitude values being stored in the memory. 
     
     
       25. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the means for processing "identifies peaks" in at least one of the wavenumber ranges selected from a group including approximately 1468 cm -1  to 1448 cm -1 , 1380 cm -1  to 1374 cm -1 , 1800 cm -1  to 1700 cm -1 , and 1250 cm -1  to 1120 cm -1 .